Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the IGF-IRS pathway are associated with outcome in mCRC patients enrolled in the FIRE-3 trial

The Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)/IGF-receptor pathway with its scaffolding proteins Insulin Receptor Substrate (IRS)1 and IRS2 are crucial regulators of metabolism and progression in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The goal of the study was the identification of predictive and prognostic markers among IRS1, IRS2, IGF1 and IGF-1R SNPs in mCRC patients enrolled in the FIRE-3 trial. Four SNPs of IRS (IRS1 rs1801278, rs1801123; IRS2 rs1805097, rs2289046) and four SNPs of IGF1-IGFR1 (rs6214, rs6220, rs2946834, rs2016347) were analyzed by PCR/direct-sequencing in the FIRE-3 trial. The relation of SNPs with PFS and OS was evaluated through Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test in the overall population and in subgroup according to RAS status and treatment arm. In the overall population IRS1 rs1801123 C/- carriers (N= 105) achieved significantly worse OS compared to T/T (N = 464) in univariate (HR = 1.32 [95%CI 1.03-1.70], p = 0.029) and in multivariable. Similar results were observed among RAS wild type. Patients with IGF1 rs2946834 T/- variant (N= 280) achieved improved PFS compared to C/C (N = 257) in univariate (HR = 0.77 [95%CI 0.64-0.92], p = 0.004) and in multivariable. In the RAS wild-type subgroup IGF1 rs2946834 T/- carriers showed better PFS and OS compared to C/C (univariate HR for PFS = 0.65 [95%CI 0.51–0.81], p < 0.001; multivariable HR for PFS = 0.63 [95%CI 0.50–0.81], p < 0.001). IRS1 rs1801123 SNP was identified as a new prognostic marker for mCRC. IGF1 rs2946834 was confirmed as prognostic factor in the overall population and in RAS wild type patients. Our findings underline the importance of IGF downstream signaling pathway in RAS wild-type mCRC patient.